The rights of all races must be protected under the Constitution, with a submitter questioning Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's reasons for the proposed changes during the Constitution Amendment Bill 32 public consultation in Labasa.
The submitter, Joytika Maharaj, says Fiji is a multiracial country and the Constitution must protect the rights of every individual, rather than focusing only on the rights of indigenous iTaukei people.
Maharaj questions why Rabuka wants to change the Constitution and says the proposed amendments could be worse than the 2013 Constitution.
She also raises concerns about the treatment of Indo-Fijians, saying comments by some telling Indo Fijians to return to India are disturbing and disrespectful, particularly given the contributions and sacrifices of Girmitiya descendants and their ancestors in building Fiji.
Maharaj says all communities must be treated equally and their contributions to the country must be respected.
She also calls for Fiji to remain a secular state, saying the government and all public office holders must treat every religion equally.
She says the government should not establish Fiji as a Christian state or favour one religion, denomination or belief over another, and all religious groups must be allowed to practise their faith freely.
On land and lease issues, Maharaj says the non-renewal of leases affecting Indo Fijian farmers has forced some farmers to leave their land, affecting their livelihoods and communities.
She says some former sugarcane farms have become overgrown with bush after farmers were unable to continue working their land, resulting in productive agricultural land being left unused.
Maharaj also opposes the inclusion of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) in the Constitution, saying the move would waste taxpayers' money.
Insert: Maharaj on interfering in politics 25th Oct 26
She further raises concerns about insufficient time for public input into the constitutional review process, questioning whether people’s submissions will genuinely be considered before any changes are made.
Maharaj also questions the need to return to an earlier system of government, saying this could result in unnecessary public expenditure.
Beyond constitutional issues, Maharaj highlights the lack of basic services in some villages she has visited across Fiji.
She says some communities continue to struggle with access to clean water, proper roads and other essential services.
She has visited iTaukei villages where residents are struggling to access water, with some families unable to wash their children's school uniforms because of the shortage.
She says these challenges show that even the indigenous iTaukei communities continue to face difficulties meeting their basic needs.
Maharaj urges Rabuka and other national leaders to take these concerns into consideration, stressing that the country must address the everyday needs of all communities while ensuring equal rights and protections for everyone.
She says Fiji's future must be built on fairness, respect and equal treatment for all its people.
